Can You Polish Cement Floors? - Fixanswer

Almost any structurally sound concrete floor, whether new or old, can be polished . However there are some exceptions, for example with new floors no special mix design is required to achieve good results – although the floor should be in place at least 28 days before polishing begins to ensure adequate curing.

How do you polish concrete cement?

How do I get my concrete floor to shine again?

Regular sweeping and weekly cleaning with a mop and mild solution of dish soap and water should help concrete keep its shine. Every few months, use a pressure washer to clean dirt and debris from crevices. Make sure the concrete can handle the high-pressured stream of water before you tackle the entire project.

How long does polished concrete last?

Mechanically polished concrete can last up to 10-12 years without any major maintenance if it is appropriately installed and maintained during that time.

How do you make a concrete floor smooth and shiny?

If the concrete floor is sloped, self leveling cement can be applied to make the surface even . Ardex or other similar self leveling cementitous mixes can be applied and poured on to the surface and then ground afterwords just like regular concrete to get a smooth shine.

How much does it cost to polish an existing concrete floor?

Cost To Polish Existing Concrete Floors. The average cost to polish existing concrete floors is $3 to $15 per square foot , depending on the job size, prep work, and complexity. Concrete surface repairs and design, stamping, staining, and sealing work can add $1 to $10 per square foot or more to the overall cost.

Are polished concrete floors outdated?

As more and more industrial buildings are converted into luxury condos and upscale retail space, one of the most common questions we’re asked is ‘can old concrete be polished? ‘. While concrete polishing on old slabs is more challenging than modern pours, the answer is nearly always yes .

Can I polish concrete yourself?

The answer to “can I polish concrete floors myself” is yes, but only in a limited set of circumstances . DIY projects should only be attempted on newly poured slabs that are clean and in good condition. A matte finish is also preferable, as fewer sets of diamond polishing tools will be required.

How long does it take to polish concrete floors?

Depending on the area, the level of polish, and the obstacles, the polishing can take upwards of 2 to 3 days . However, you can use the surface immediately after the polishing is done. For more information on polished concrete, or to get an estimate, you can contact us at The Floor Company.

Do polished concrete floors scratch easily?

Polished concrete flooring is extremely strong and resilient and is able to withstand the pressure from very heavy foot traffic and equipment. It is very difficult to damage and is nearly impossible to chip or scratch . Life-Span.

Is polished concrete slippery?

However, there is a common misconception that floors with shiny finishes are slippery and cannot be walked on without skidding. That’s not always the case. Polished concrete finishes may look as smooth as glass, but surprisingly, they are not slippery when wet .

Are polished concrete floors hard to maintain?

While polished concrete floors are not maintenance-free , they generally are easier to care for than other types of decorative concrete floors, since they require no waxing or sealing.

Can you polish stained concrete?

Yes, acid stained concrete can be polished . Acid-staining is a permanent change to your concrete so even the grinding involved in polishing will not remove the color.

Can you use quick shine on concrete floors?

The answer is YES! You can use our Quick Shine® Multi-Surface Floor Finish and Cleaner on a variety of sealed hard surface flooring , including; hardwood, laminate, tile, vinyl, linoleum, stone and more!

Is it cheaper to tile or polished concrete?

Because material and labor costs for tile are high, polished concrete is often significantly less expensive than tile in new residential construction and renovation. Depending on slab size and gloss level, a cream polished concrete floor is generally $3.50 to $5 per square foot.

Is polished concrete cheaper than carpet?

Polished concrete is less expensive per square foot than carpeting , tiles, linoleum or any other forms of floor covering.

Is polished concrete good for House?

They’re also incredibly durable. Polished concrete can fit right into a domestic setting . It has a clean and sharp look that can be nicely softened with the right furniture and décor. Polished concrete flooring is one of the most versatile floor options out there.

How do I make my concrete floor look like marble?

An alternative to painting is to apply an epoxy concrete floor coating specifically designed to give you a marble-like finish , such as Rustoleum’s RockSolid® Marble Floor Coating Kit.

Why is polished concrete so expensive?

No matter which method is used, concrete polishing requires special machinery. Grind and seal are the least expensive, because fewer grits are needed. Mechanically polished concrete must use finer and finer grits of concrete until the required gloss level is achieved . This is why it’s more expensive.

Is polished concrete cheaper than vinyl?

Vinyl flooring is less expensive , less loud, and comes in a variety of colors when compared to polished concrete. However, polished concrete offers more durability, longevity, as well as unique customization, making it a useful flooring choice for high-traffic areas.

Are polished concrete floors cold?

Polished Concrete is no colder than tiles and many testimonials claim that due to Polished Concrete being recognised as a sustainable and ‘green’ building product the thermal mass naturally draws its temperature from the ground rather than the outside so it tends to be warmer than tiles in winter and cooler than tiles ...

Can I polish my concrete basement floor?

If you have to clean your isle ways and floors many times per day, polished concrete works well since the process can include special cleaners and cleaning pads that continue to polish, densify and stain proof the concrete floor.

Why do houses generally have cement floors?

Answer. Answer: Cement flooring is an excellent choice to decorate your outdoor area, as well as practical and extremely resistant to climate change . The easy care of concrete, the ability to handle heavy traffic and resist stains make it the perfect choice for busy areas.

Is Polishing concrete Dusty?

Properly polished concrete flooring does not experience surface dust . Sealing and dustproofing your facility’s concrete floors is one easy and effective way to protect the health and safety of your staff.

Is polished concrete floor waterproof?

Polished concrete provides an environment that is resistant to damage from chemical and oil spills, as well as, slip and water resistant .

Is polished concrete sealed?

However, the finish (either matte, satin, or gloss) is achieved in unique processes. For polished concrete, the concrete is polished using finer grits of diamond abrasives until the floor reaches the desired level of shine (level 1-4). However with sealed concrete, the finish is achieved from a topical sealer .

Can you wax concrete floors?

Which is better polished concrete or epoxy?

Epoxy flooring is generally faster to install than polished concrete . It only takes about 3 to 6 days to finish the process. Between the two featured flooring options, epoxy takes less time to install. Contractors usually take about 2 to 3 days to finish adding the resin to floors.

What flooring is best over concrete?

Engineered Wood. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability. ...
Vinyl. As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl has a reputation for extreme water resistance. ...
Laminate. ...
Carpet. ...
Tile.

Are stained concrete floors slick?

How do I make my polished concrete floor less slippery?

There are many way to achieve a less slippery surface. – Adding sand to a sealer . – Trowelling a textured pattern into the concrete or overlay. – Broadcasting small metal or vinyl grit flakes into a top coat.

What is honed concrete finish?

Honing gives concrete a smooth matt finish by grinding the concrete surface and exposing the aggregates . Smoother (polished) concrete surfaces can be achieved through extended honing using progressively finer abrasives (finer grinding grit heads/pads) to impart a lustre to the concrete surface.

Can you steam mop polished concrete floors?

No. A steam mop should never be used on a Polished Concrete floor . Nor should one use harsh chemicals such as bleach, citrus products or oils. A microfibre mop is all that is required in conjunction with water or a neutral ph cleaner such as GTA Tough Green.